The Oberon Water Action Group was formed last week to lead the Oberon people in saving what little water is left in Oberon Dam. The group is headed by former agent and councillor Bill Dawson, with Michael Lowe as vice-president and Kay Lyme and Nancy Brown as joint secretaries.

The signs are just part of the group's reaction to the recent announcement that Delta Electricity will be allowed to take water from Oberon Dam even after the dam drops to five per cent capacity. Previously, supplies to the major water user were to be cut off once the dam hit eight per cent capacity.

Bill Dawson said the group would fight any actions that could result in Oberon Dam drying up by 2011. “The group has identified Delta Electricity as the 'elephant in the room' and we will do all it can to remove its trunk from the Oberon pond,” he said.

“We are presently at 13.4 per cent and with summer nearly upon us our position will soon be critical unless immediate action is taken.”

Mr Dawson said the new arrangement is totally unacceptable and that it threatens the future of hundreds of jobs at the Oberon Timber Complex and all Oberon residents.

Vice-president Michael Lowe said the the group's short-term objective is to make Delta Electricity reduce its usage immediately. It would argue arguing that Delta should be cut off when the dam reaches 10 per cent capacity to ensure an acceptable level for Oberon businesses and residents.

Mr Lowe said in the long term the group would insist that Oberon Dam outflows and inflows be balanced to enable continuity of the town supply.

Mr Lowe said Oberon's needs should be recognised, despite the fact Oberon is a minor user of the dam, as the area exports over $1 million worth of product per week.

“Not many towns can say the same,” he said.

“The Oberon people will definitely go to great lengths to protect our dam levels,” he said.

“This is definitely a political fight.”

Mr Dawson said that if Delta has its own way, Oberon will continue to be on the current restrictions or even higher restrictions for the foreseeable future.

“State owned Delta Electricity is essential for our power needs, but without water in Oberon for our 2700 residents and timber complex, our water infrastructure will no longer exist,” he said.

“Give us a break Delta, and get out of our dam.”